Safety control system for gas burners employing single point ignition



P 1954 R. A. WITTMANN I 2,388,364

- SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM F OR GAS BURNERS EMPLOYING SINGLE POINT IGNITION 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 9, 1947 Sept. 7, 1954 R. A. WITTMANN SAFETY CONTROL 2,688,364 SYSTEM FOR GAS BURNERS Filed Aug. 9, 1947 EMPLOYING SINGLE POINT IGNITION 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. A. WITTMANN SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GAS BURNERS Sept. 7, 1954 "2,688,364

' EMPLOYING SINGLE POINT IGNITION 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 9, 1947 QQ\ NW ll 7 Q. l mm Sept. 7, 1954 R. A. WITTMANN SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GAS BURNERS EMPLOYING SINGLE POINT IGNITION File d Aug. 9, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 7, 1954 R.

SAFETY CONTR A. WITTMANN 0L SYSTEM FOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 5- GAS BURNERS EMPLOYING SINGLE POINT IGNITION Filed Aug. 9, 1947 Jfivenifor JZ. Zz/iiinzann Sept. 7, 1954 R, wrr N 2,688,364

SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GAS BURNERS EMPLOYING SINGLE POINT IGNITION Filed Aug. 9, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. 7, 19 54 R. A. WITTMANN 2,688,354 SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GAS BURNERS EMPLOYING SINGLE POINT IGNITION Filed Aug. 9, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Sept. 7, 1954 SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GAS BURNERS EMPLOYING SINGLE POINT IGNITION Robert A. Wittmann, Chicago, 111.

Application August 9, 1947, Serial No. 767,707

23 Claims. 1

My invention relates, generally, to single point ignition and safety controls therefor for gas burning systems, and more particularly, for domestic gas ranges employed for cooking food.

The usual domestic gas range has a horizontal surface at which there are disposed a plurality of top gas burners and a pilot burner therefor, together with one or more gas burners which are remote from the top burners and pilot burner and which are enclosed in an insulated compartment, hereinafter sometimes referred to as an oven. The oven and the oven burner, or burners, may be employed for baking, roasting and broiling operations, and access thereto is generally had by means of a hinged door on the front of the gas range. Since the pilot burner of the said range serves only to light the top burners, it is necessary to light the oven burner by a separate means, such as a match, for example. Lighting the oven burner requires the operator to turn on the gas to said burner, and then to ignite such gas promptly before it accumulates within the oven in quantities sufiicient to cause an explosion or a flaring out of the door of the oven when the mixture of gas and air is ultimately lit.

In some domestic gas ranges a constantly burning pilot burner is provided in the oven adjacent the oven burner, but in the usual form this has been unsatisfactory, since it produces an uneven oven temperature, is uneconomical, and is dangerous if it fails to light or is extinguished because it will then permit an accumulation of gas within the oven to an explosive degree.

It is a particular object of my invention to provide a single point ignition system for a gas range which eliminates the use of matches or similar devices for ignition of the oven burner by having said burner, as Well as the top burners lit from one constantly burning pilot burner which is remotely positioned from the oven burner. The single constantly burning pilot burner which constitutes the single point ignition is generally located centrally with respect to the top burners of the gas range. By means of flash tubes, or similar means, which are adapted to carry gas from a burner to a constantly burning pilot burner, the oven burner, or a pilot burner therefor, may be lit directly from the constantly burning pilot burner which is adjacent the top burners.

.In single point ignition systems previously devised, it has been commonto employ an automatic temperature responsive gas valve in the gas supply line of the oven, with the heat responsive element of the valve being adapted to cause opening thereof when the pilot burner for the oven burner is lit. However, when the oven pilot burner is turned off, in order that the automatic temperature responsive valve will close to cut off the gas supply to the oven burner, there has been a failure to obtain prompt shutting oil. of the oven burner, since the heat responsive means of the automatic valve is still subject to the high ambient temperature of the oven in which the main oven burner continues to burn. As a result, the heat responsive means of the automatic valve cools slowly, and the main oven burner is not shut off for some little time.

It is an object of my invention to provide a single point ignition system for top burners and an oven burner wherein the oven burner is controlled by a single manually operated on-off valve, the oven burner lighting automatically when the manually controlled valve is turned to its on, or open, position, and being instantaneously shut off when said manually controlled valve is turned to its off, or closed, position. The time within which the oven burner will automatically light may be varied from a few seconds to a period of hours, in accordance with the requirements of the particular installation.

It is a further object of my invention to incorporate with the structure mentioned in the preceding paragraph safety control means which will prevent the feeding of raw gas into the oven. Consequently, there can be no danger of explosion by accumulations of gas in the oven chamber. In the accomplishment of this object, and of the preceding objects of my invention, I employ with the manually controlled valve an automatic valve mechanism which is controlled by heat responsive means which is subject to heat from a pilot burner. In one form of my invention the pilot burner for the heat responsive means may be located entirely away from the oven burner and outside of the chamber for said burner. In addition, I may employ a secondary pilot burner for the oven burner, said heat responsive control means also governing the feeding of gas to said secondary pilot burner. The heat responsive control means will not permit the feeding of gas to the secondary pilot burner, and will not permit the opening of the automatic valve to permit gas to flow to the oven burner until the pilot for the heat responsive element has been lit from the constantly burning top pilot burner and until the heat responsive means has been heated above a predetermined temperature.

When the manually controlled valve is moved from open to closed position, the flow of gas to the oven burner and the pilot for the heat responsive means is instantaneously shut off, and the two flames are extinguished, but the secondary pilot burner continues to burn, since gas continues to be fed thereto until the heat responsive control means has cooled below said predetermined temperature. When the heat responsive control means has cooled below said predetermined temperature, the flow of gas to the secondary pilot burner is shut off, and at that time, the automatic valve is closed. Since the secondary pilot burner is not instantaneously shut off after the manually controlled valve is moved-to its closed position, continued burning of the secondary pilot burner in the oven protects the user of the gas range who shuts off the gas to the oven burner by the manually controlled valve, and then decides almost immediately thereafter to turn the oven-burner on again. With the secondary pilot burner still burning, the gas which isthen fed to the oven burner is ignited at once, and cannot fill the oven chamber with raw gas with consequent danger of explosion.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that in a preferred embodiment of my invention I provide a single point ignition system having protective features 'wherein the only action required of the operator to light the oven burner is a movement of a single manually controlled valve to open position, and wherein the oven burner is shut off instantaneously by movement of the manually controlled valve to closed position, a secondary pilot burner at that time continuing to burn until heat responsive control means has cooled below a predetermined temperature. When the heat responsive control means has cooled below that temperature, the secondary pilot burner is extinguished, and an automatic valve in series between the gas supply means and the oven burr; r prevents the flow of gas to the oven burner until the operator opens the manually controlled valve, in the regular .manner outlined above, to start the oven burner again. If, for any reason, tl?" heat responsive control fails to operate properl when heated above a predetermined temperature gas will not be permitted to flow to the oven burner so that no danger of explosion is present. Onthe other hand, if the heat responsive control means fails to function when it has cooled below its predetermined temperature from a higher temperature, the secondary oven burner pilot will continue to burn, and any flow of gas to the oven burner will be lit thereby, so that there is no accumulation of raw gas within the oven at any time.

Since the rate of flame propagation varies with different gases, and with different external conditions, it is sometimes desirable to employ an intermediate pilot burner, or pilot burners, in combination with the flashtube from the constantly burning pilot burner to the oven pilot burner. It would be uneconomical, however, to have the intermediate pilot burner, or pilot burners, burning at all times. It is an object of my invention tohave the fiow of gas to such an intermediate pilot burner controlled in such fashion that gas flows thereto only after the manually controlled valve is moved to its open position, and continues to flow thereto only until the automatic valve opens and permits the flow of gas to the oven burner.

The heat responsive control means, in its preferred form, includes an automatic heat responsive valve, which relies upon the magnetic character of Curie point metal, namely, metals and alloys which normally are ferromagnetic but which, when heated sufliciently, lose their magnetic properties. The transition temperature, or Curie point, as it is called, at which this change in magnetic characteristics occurs on -heating is a distinct property of each metal or.-alloy and varies widely among the various metals and alloys. Each metal or alloy, however, has its own distinct and non-varying Curie point. A valve member moved in response :to the attraction between a magnet and a Curie point metal may, therefore,

be manipulated by heating of the Curie point metal about its Curie point. Although I prefer to employ a heat responsive valve such as described above, valves controlled by gas filled bellows, solenoids, bi-metal thermostats, thermocouples, or other known heat responsive controls, come within the scope of my invention. For a more particular description of a form of Curie point'valve, 'which'I prefer to employ, reference should be had to my copending application, Serial No. 28,640 filed May 22, 1948, and now Patent No. 2,601,579.

'It is a further object of my invention to provide a safety control valve between the gas supply means and the-pilot burner for theoven burner, which safety control'valve closeswhen the constantly burning pilot burner-is extinguished for any reason, but which remains open so long as the constantly burning pilot burner is lit. As a result, even though the constantly burning pilot burner may be extinguished and themanually controlled valve may-be opened accidentally or otherwise, raw gas cannot be fed to the oven chamber-by reason of said safety control valve. In such a gas burning system the flow of gas to the ovenburner may be controlled by other than athermal responsive valve in the line between the gas supply means and the pilot burner for the oven burner. For example, electromagnetically controlled valves and valves operated by hand or by timing devices maybe used.

It is still a further object of myinvention'to provide a safety control mechanism in those types of domestic gas'ranges which employ a constantly burning'pilot burnerwithin theoven chamber adjacent the oven burner. In'suchrangesfiash tubes and associated-mechanism are not needed. The safety control mechanism is such that when said pilot burner is extinguished in any fashion, the'flow ofgas to the ovenburner is automatically shut off. -In such-an arrangement,' I may also employ a safety control valve in series between the pilot burner'for the oven burner and the gas supply means whereby failure of said pilot burner will automatically shut off the i flow of gas to thepilot burner.

Other objects, uses and advantages 'of my inventionwill become apparent from the following description, taken with-the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic showing of'anoven burner in normal inoperative condition. and the various controls and associated mechanismtherefor;

1 Figure 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic "view, taken substantially-along theline 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the structurecof Figurev v1, but showing the initial step in lighting theoven burner, with arrows'indicatingi the flow..'of gaszin the various conduits;

-- Figure 4 is a -view of the:structure.'ofaFigurel,

but showing the oven burner lit and in operation, with arrows indicating the flow of gas in the various conduits; I I

Figure 5 is a view of the structure of Figure 1, but showing the oven burner and oven burner pilot extinguished and with the secondary oven burner pilot remaining lit, with arrows indicating the flow of gas;

Figure 6 is a modification of the structure of Figure 1, illustrating a safety control valve and a timing mechanism in series between the source of gas and the pilot for the oven burner;

Figured is a diagrammatic showing of an oven burner and a modified form of controls and associated mechanism; and

Figure 8 shows a modification of the control mechanism for an oven burner wherein the pilot for the oven burner is adapted to be burning at all times.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there will be seen a gas manifold, indicated generally by the reference numeral I0, carrying gas under pressure which'may be supplied by a'city main, pipe line, cylinder or the like. A conduit I2 extends from the gas supply means or manifold II] to a pilot burner I4 which is adapted to be lit at all times. This constantly burning pilot burner I4 may be positioned centrally with respect to a plurality of top burners (not shown) of a domestic range. Directly connected with the manifold I 0 is a conduit It having a shut-off valve mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral I8, which also incorporates a standard form of oven temperature regulator having a conduit 20 and bulb 22 which is positioned within the oven chamber to be referred to hereinafter. In a domestic gas cooking range the shut-off valve 18 is manually controlled, but it will be appreciated that itv may be actuated other than directly by a persons hand. A handle 24 for manipulating the manually controlled valve mechanism I8 is adapted to be turned clockwise, as viewed in Figure 1, in order to open the valve, and to determine the temperature to which the oven is to be heated. A dial face 26for use with the handle 24-on the front wall 28 of the range provides visual indicia by means of which the operator may choose the desired temperature to which the oven chamber is to be heated. The oven temperature regulator in itself does not constitute a part of my invention, and may take any one of a number of forms presently on the market.

Extending from the manually controlled valve mechanism I8 (and oven temperature regulator) is a conduit 30 which is connected to the fluid inlet 32 of an automatic valve mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 34. The fluid outlet 36 of the automatic valve mechanism. 34 is connected with a conduit 38, which extends to and is connected with the oven burner 40 which lies within the oven chamber as indicated diagrammatically by its relationship with the oven wall 42.

Referring to the automatic valve 34, it will be seen that the casing 44 is divided internally into two parts by a wall 46 which also defines a passageway 48. A valve seat 56 is located at the upper end of the passageway 48. The inlet chamber, indicated generally by the reference numeral 52, is connected with the outlet chamber, indicated generally by the reference numeral 54, by means of the passageway 48, which may be closed by a valve member 56 carried by a flexible diaphragm 58. The diaphragm 58 extends across and divides the inlet side of casing 44 and its I be employed if desired.

edges are secured to the casing :44. It will be apparent that gravity acts upon the diaphragm 58 and valve member 56 and tends to seat the valve member 56 upon the seat 50.

.An oven burner pilot burner 60, positioned adjaoent the oven burner 40, is connected to the gas manifold I0 through the manually controlled valve mechanism I8. It will be seen that the oven burner pilot burner 60 is located at the end of conduit 62 which in turn is connected with an outlet 64 in the casing 44 of the automatic valve mechanism 34, and thence to the chamber 66 and by means of passageway 68 between the chamber 66 and the inlet chamber 52, to the conduit 30, manually controlled valve mechanism I8, conduit I6, and thence to the manifold I0.

Referring to the automatic valve mechanism 34, it will be seen that the chamber 66 just referred to is separated from the outlet chamber 54 of said valve mechanism by a flexible diaphragm Ill which carries a valve member I2 adapted to seat upon valve seat I4 formed integrally with the casing 44. When valve member I2 is seated upon the seat I4, chamber 66 is closed off from the conduit l6 leading to an intermediate pilot burner 78 adjacent the flash tube mechanism which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 88. More than intermediate pilot could It will be readily'observed that the valve member 12, and the flexible diaphragm 70 are acted upon by gravity which tends to seat said valve member upon its seat I4.

Diaphragm 58 within the automatic valve mechanism 34 serves to separate the inlet chamber 52 of said valve mechanism from a chamber 82. An opening 84 in the casing 44 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 connects with a conduit 86 which has a T-connection 88 with conduits 9i) and 92, respectively. Conduit 99 connects with the gas manifold I0 through a throttling valve 94. In lieu of the manually adjustable throttling valve 94 a fixed orifice could be employed in conduit 96. Conduit 92 extends to a heat responsive valve mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 96 which comprises generally a casing 98, a permanent magnet Hill, a valve member Hi2 carried by the magnet Hill, and a valve seat Hi4. An element of Curie point metal I06 at the upper end of casing 98 serves to attract the magnet Illil and thereby seat the valve member Hi2 upon its seat IE4 when said Curie point element is at a temperature below its Curie point. Above said predetermined temperature, or Curie point, the element I06 ceases to attract the magnet I00 and it falls to the bottom of the casing 98 and thereby carries the valve member I02 from its valve seat I04 and connects the conduit 92 through the valve 96 to a conduit Hi8 extending outwardly from the valve seat I04. At the end of the conduit I08 there is located a secondary pilot burner [Ill for the oven burner Ml, said secondary pilot burner I I0 and the oven burner pilot burner 68 and oven burner 40 all being located with respect to each other in such fashion that a flame from any one of them will ignite gas issuing from the other two. It will be observed that the secondary pilot burner serves as a vent for chamber 82 to reduce the pressure in said chamber. The heat responsive valve mechanism 96 may be positioned either inside or out side of the oven chamber. For a more complete description of a Curie point valve such as the valve 96, reference may be had to my copending application, Serial No. 28,640, filed May 22, 1948. It willbe readily appreciated that other heat re- :sponsive means may: control a:.valve interposed between the :conduit .92- and the conduit 'l-D8,--:so :longas the controlrmechanismtherefor.:is subject to heat from the ovenburner-pilot burner-60, or .from 'somevother appropriate; pilot burner for the .heatresponsive means.

Thelfiash tube mechanism 80 extends from-the :constantly burning pilot burner l l to the intermediate pilot. burner 18 andtheaoven burner pilot burner 60,,--.so that gas :issuing. fromthepilot vburner :18 or pilotburner iifi will travel to i'the :constantly burningpilot burner l4 and flame will berflashed :back or propagatedthroughthe flash tube" mechanismto 'the respective pilots.

..-It ,will' now be in order to consider. the operation of the gas burningsystem above=described, and. it should be observed thatinitially the man- .ually controlled valve'mechanism lfl is in off, :or closed-position, and thatthe-constantlyburning pilot'burner M-is-lit. Also at thistime the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 is .inclosed positionso thatgas .in the .conduit 92 connected therewith and the conduit 90, which is connected with the gas manifold [0,.through the throttling valvell l, is at the same pressure as that existing in the. manifold. As a result, by reason of itscon- .nection with the conduit 90 by conduit 186, the :chamber 82 in .the automatic valve mechanism Jitalso contains gas under pressure which acts uponthe .fiexible diaphragm-58 to. cause it to move downwardly, as viewed in Figure 1,; and to seat the valve member 55 upon its valve seat 50. Since the manually controlled valve mechanism 18 is in off position there is no morethan atmospheric pressure existing within the:inlet chamber 52 of the automatic valve mechanism 34, and in .the chamber '66 connected with chamber .52 by the passageway 68. The outlet chamber 5t of the automatic valve mechanism 34 is also at atmospheric pressure by reason of its connection through conduit. 38 and the oven burner 40 to the oven chamber. By reason of these factsthe flexiblediaphragm In and the valvemember .12 carried thereby are urged downwardlyby gravity to cause the valvemember -12 to be seatedupon .its valve seat l4 and therebyclose-off thechamber 66 from the conduit 16 which leads to the intermediate. pilot burner 18.

Referring. now to Figures land 3, itwillbeas- .sumedthat.the operator of the gas burning. systom-incorporated, vfor example, in-a domestic .gas range-wishesto light. the oven burner. .All that need be done is to turn the handle 24. ofthe manually controlled valve mechanism 18 clockwise, i. e., clockwise as viewed in Figures land 3, .until the dial reading corresponds to the temperature at which the operatorwishes the oven chamber to be maintained. Whenthe manually controlled valve 1 8 is thus opened, gas flowsfrom the manifold'l ll'throughtheconduit 16, valve mechanism l8 and conduit 30 to .the inlet chamber 52 of the automatic valve mechanism 34. The pressure which will build up in the inlet chamber '52 will not exceed'the pressure in the chamber 82 on the opposite side of diaphragm 58, and furthermore, since the effective area on the upper side of diaphragm 58 is greater than that on the lower side by an amount equal tto'the area defined bythe valve seat 5U,'diaphragm 58 will remain in'its lowermost position with "the valve member 56 seated upon'the valve seat 50. Gravity also acts uponthetliaphiagm" 58 and valvememberiaand tends to lower-'said-valve member'onto its seat--58. Gas-under pressure, however, willflow through the passageway between the inlet chamben 52= and tthechamber' 56 8 and'-,.-.:by:reason-of :thedifference in cross sectional areasicbetween thepassageway: 268 and all of i the orifices beyond said passageway, pressure will build cup withinchamber .66 and raise the diaphra mflii and the valve member 12 carried therebyiso that said valve member is unseated from-the valve-seat 14.

It will be remembered that only atmospheric pressure -exists;:within.the outlet chamber 540f the. automatic vvalve-mechanism 34 since valve memberL-SBtcarriedby'diaphragm 58 isstill seated upon the 'valverseat 50. When'the valve member ?|2'is raised, gas under pressure will pass-through the conduit 16 to intermediate pilot 18 and gas will continue to flow through the opening 64-to conduit '62-'- and.-to.the oven burner pilot burner 60. Gas escaping fromthese pilot burners is'carriedby the flash tubemechanismflfl to the constantly burning pilot burner l4, whereupon the flame. is. flashed back through the .flash tube mechanismtotheintermediate pilot burner .l8andoven burner. pilot burner 60 which are thereby lit. The purpose of the intermediate pilot burner'lB is to insure adequate flame propagation or .fiash back, but, with some gases, it is unnecessary, because the gas hasan adequate rate of propagation.

'When'the oven burner pilot burner 60 has been lit, its flamewill be directed against .the Curie point element I06, or a heat conductor (not shown) whichmay be connected to the Curie point element, and when the Curie point element I06 has been heated above its predetermined temperature, or Curie point, the permanent magnet I700 ofthe heat responsive valve mechanism-96 will-drop downwardly, since it will no longer be attracted to the Curie point element I56 which has lost its magnetic force ofattraction. This movement of the magnet I-llli will cause the valve member N12 to be unseated and gas will therefore flow from the conduit 92 through the valve mechanism 96 to theconduit I08, and thence to the secondary oven burner pilot burner I I0. Gas issuing .from the secondary oven burner pilot burner I ID will be ignited by the flame at the oven burner pilot '60. Opening of the valve mechanism 96' relieves the pressure within the chamber 82 0f the automatic valve mechanism 34, and consequently'the gas under pressure in the inlet chamber 52 of said valve mechanism will then raisethe'diaphragmiil and thereby lift the valve member 561mm its'seat 5!]. As a result, gas under pressure will flow from the gas manifold I tl'through conduit I 6, manually controlled valve mechanism [8, conduit 30, inlet chamber 52, and passageway 48'to the outlet chamber of the automatic Valve "mechanism '34, and thence through conduit 38to the oven burner :40. Gas issuing from the-oven burner 40 will then be ignited bythe 'oven burner pilot burner 60, and secondary'oven'burner pilot burner H0. After the valve" member 56:is.unseated from .itsvalve seat 50;and gasunder pressure passes to the outlet chamber 54 of the automatic valve mechanism 34, the pressure 'ofithe gas upon the diaphragm 10 "on its upper side will be substantially the same as "the pressure of the gas in chamber 66 on the underside 'of'the diaphragm 10. Due to the action of "gravity .upon the :diaphragmlfl and valve memberllkthe diaphragm will fall and'the valve *TZ-willthenbeseated uponthe valve'seat 14 and close on *the'conduit 16' from the chamber 66, and the supply of gas therein. This will cause the=intermediatepilot burner 18 to go-out. The gas burning system at this stage of the operations is that illustrated in Figure 4.

So long as the manually controlled valve mechanism is in open, or on, position the oven burner 40, oven burner pilot burner 60 and secondary oven burner pilot burner III] will continue to be lit. Then when the operator desires to turn oiT the oven burner 40, it is only necessary to move the manually controlled valve mechanism I8, by

means of its control handle 24, to closed, or off,

position, thereby shutting off the supply of gas from the gas manifold II) to both the oven burner 40 and the oven burner pilot burner 60, since the manually controlled valve is in series with both of them. However, the secondary oven burner pilot burner I I continues to burn, since the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 remains in open position and gas is supplied to the pilot burner IIIJ through said valve, conduit 92, and conduit 90 from the manifold I0. At this time, pressure in the inlet chamber 52 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 is substantially at atmospheric pressure, and pressure in chamber 82 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 is substantially at atmospheric pressure, or slightly above due to the flow of gas from the manifold Ill through the conduit 90 in parallel to chamber 82 and to the heat responsive valve mechanism and secondary oven burner pilot burner IIO. Consequently, gravity, acting upon diaphragm 58 and valve member 56 carried thereby causes the valve 56 to seat upon valve seat 50 and to close the passageway 48 between the inlet chamber 52 and the outlet chamber 54. At this time, valve member I2 carried by the diaphragm '10 is already seated upon its valve seat I4, and since the pressure in chamber 66 on the under side of the diaphragm and the pressure in chamber 54 on the upper side of the diaphragm are substantially identical, the force of gravity retains the valve member I2 upon its seat".

Since the oven burner pilot burner 60 is extinguished instantly as soon as the manually controlled valve mechanism I8 is moved to its closed, or off, position, there is no longer any flame directed against the Curie point element I06, or a heat conducting member therefor, and said element therefore begins to cool. As soon as it cools below its Curie point, which is a temperature previously determined for the installation of the particular gas burning system, said element regains its magnetic properties and therefore attracts the permanent magnet IBO which carries the valve member I02, and causes said valve member I 62 to be seated upon its seat I04. This action closes off the flow of gas to the secondary oven burner pilot burner H0 and causes gas under pressure to build up in the conduits 92, 90 and 85 and also in chamber 82 of the automatic valve mechanism 34. The pressure that builds up in chamber 82 firmly holds the valve member 56, carried by diaphragm 58, upon the valve seat 55 and the gas burning system is then in the same condition it was before the operator initially undertook to light the oven burner 40.

At such time as the secondaryoven burner pilot burner I I0 continues to burn after the oven burner 40 and oven burner pilot IiIl have been extin guished, any intentional'or accidental opening of the manually controlled valve mechanism I3 will cause a flow of gas to the oven burner 40, since the gas under pressure in inlet chamber 52 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 Will exceed the pressure in the chamber 82 of said valve mechanism. However, the flame at the secondary oven burner pilot burner I in will immediately ignite the gas which is supplied to the oven burner 40 and also to the oven burner pilot burner 60, so that no raw gas can'be accumulated in the oven chamber. Were it not for the secondary oven burner pilot burner III! the operator of the gas range could turn off the manually controlled valve mechanism It and extinguish the oven burner 45 and oven burner pilot burner 68, and then immediately reopen the automatic valve mechanism 58 and supply a large quantity of raw gas through the oven burner til to the oven chamber before the oven burner pilot burner 6!] could be re-ignited from the constantly burning pilot burner I l. The subsequent ignition of the oven burner pilot burner might then cause an explosion in the oven chamber.

Reference should now be made to Figure 6, wherein the gas burning system of my invention includes an automatic safety valve, indicated generally by the reference numeral II2, which is in series between the manually controlled valve mechanism I8 and the pilot burner for the oven burner it. Valve mechanism H2 is heat responsive and may take any one of a number of known forms of heat responsive valves, but in its preferred form it constitutes a valve mechanism similar to valve mechanism 95 of Figure 1 to 5. The Curie point element I M of heat responsive valve mechanism IIZ, or a heat conductor for said element II l, is heated by the constantly burning pilot burner I4. so long as the constantly burning pilot burner it continues to burn, the valve mechanism H2 is open and the gas burning system operates in the manner described above and illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. If, however, for any reason, accidental or otherwise, the constantly burning pilot burner M is extinguished, the Curie point element I IA of the heat responsive valve mechanism I I2 will cool below its Curie point and will thereby regain its magnetic properties and cause a closing of the Valve I I 2 in the same manner as that described with respect to the valve mechanism 96. Since it is necessary to supply gas to the oven burner pilot burner before the oven burner can ever be lit, closing of valve H2 serves to prevent the flow of any raw gas into the oven chamber, even if the manually controlled valve mechanism I8 is opened. It will be apparent from this that any means which closes passage I i5-whether it be a thermo-valve, electric valve or a valve which is operated by hand, a timing device or other means-Will shut off the flow of gas to the oven burner. In the arrangement shown in Figure 6, the conduit IIB is connected with conduit till and leads to the heat responsive valve I I2, and from said valve a conduit H8 passes to a clock or other timing device I20. From the timing device I20, to be described more fully hereinafter, a conduit I22 connects with the chamber 66 of the automatic valve mechanism 34, as shown. With this arrangement it is not only impossible for gas to flow to the oven burner pilot burner 50 but also to the intermediate pilot burner it through conduit I6 when pilot burner i i is extinguished, because gas will not be supplied to chamber 66 of the automatic valve mechanism 3d when the heat responsive valve i I2 closes.

The timing device I20 in the gas burning system illustrated in Figure 6 is of any one of a number of known types, and is adapted to be set by the operator so that the oven will automatically light at a selected time and then be automatically shut off at a selected later time without the operator being present. The timing mechanism I20 is adapted to control a valve (not shown) which is in series between'the conduits I I8 and I22, or, in efiect, between the gas manifold Ill and the oven burner pilot 66. The manual controls for the timing device will be arranged to show readings of various minutes and also a reading for open, so that the manual controls may be set at open and in that position maintain the valve in open position. If then the operator desires to have the oven burner be lit two hours later and to remain lit for an hour before being shut ofi the manual controls may be set accordingly and the manually controlled valve-I8 opened to the temperature reading desired. At the expiration of the third hour, the timing device will move its valve into closed position and thereby close off the flow of gas to the oven burner pilotburner 60. When the oven burner pilot burner 60' is extinguished, the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 closes as soon as the Curie point element I66 cools below its predetermined temperature. That will cause a building up of pressure in the conduits 92, 99 and 86- and in the chamber 82 of the automatic valve mechanism 34' and the exertion of pressure in said chamber 82 upon the diaphragm 58, to gether with the force of gravity, will cause the diaphragm to be moved downwardly and to seat the valve 56up0n its valve seat 56. At that time, even though the manually controlled valve I8 may be in its on, or open, position, gas cannot be supplied through the automatic valve mechanism 34 to the conduit 38 and oven burner 46.

Since the modified form of gas burning system illustrated in Figure 7 is similar in many respects to that illustrated in Figures 1 through 5 it will be necessary to give only abrief description of the similarities, and I shall then emphasize the differences in'structure from those shown inthe system of Figures 1 through 5. As was the case in Figures 1 through 5, the constantly'burning pilot burner I4 is' connected directly to the gas manifold II) by a conduit and the automatic valve mechanism 34 isconnected to the gas manifold' I through a conduit 36 and the manually controlled valve mechanism I8 which incorporates an oven temperature regulator. The oven burner 46 is connected to the outlet chamber 54 of the automatic valve mechanism 34' by means of a conduit 38. Conduit 90'is connected directly with the gas manifold I0 andby' means of the T- connection 88 is connected in parallel through conduits 86 and 92; respectively, to the chamber 62' of the automatic valve mechanism' 34 and to the heat responsive valve mechanism 96. The outlet of heat responsive valve mechanism. 96 is connected with a conduit 168 which extends to the secondary pilot burner I ID for the oven burner 40.

It will be observed that the heat responsive mechanism-86 in this modification is positioned outside of the oven chamber and consequently is not heated by the oven burner pilot burner 60, which pilot burner is positioned closely adjacent the secondary oven burner pilot burner I I6. Instead, a separate pilot burner I! for the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 is provided, and it is connected by means of a conduit I to conduit 30 and in turn to the manually controlled valve mechanism I8.

At the inlet 32 of the automatic valve mechanism 34=there is a passageway 33 formed in the casing 44 of said automatic valve mechanism, which passageway leads to the valve member I2 carried by the diaphragm III. The valve member 12 therefore separates the passageway 33 from" the chamber 66 of the automatic valve mechanism 34. The outlet conduit 62 connected with chamber 66 leads to the oven burner-pilot burner 66 and also connects, through branch conduit- 13, with 'theintermediate 'pilot burner 18-. The flash tube mechanism extends from a point slightly above the pilot burner 'I'I for the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 upwardly into the oven chamber to a position adjacent the oven burner pilot burner Blland the secondary pilot burner H0 forthe oven burner; The flash tube mechanism then extends upwardly and out of the oven chamber to the intermediate pilot burner I8, and thence continues upwardly to the constantly burning pilot burner I4. It will-be observed that pilot burners 'II, I8 and the con stantly burning pilot burner I4 are located outside of the oven chamber and are positioned more or lessvertically with respect to each other.

When the operator desires to light the oven burner, the manually controlled handle 24 for the manually controlled valve mechanism It is turned to on, or open, position, as ShOWIlliIl Figure 7,"whereupon gas flows from the mania fold I0 through said valve mechanism I8 and conduit 30 to the conduit I5 which leads to the pilot burner for the heat responsive valve mechanism 96'.v Gas simultaneously flows to the inlet 32' of the automatic valve mechanism 34 and into the inlet chamber 52 and also into the passageway '33 in the casing 44 and to thevalve 12' carried by diaphragm" 10; Because the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 is closed at this time, the gas pressure in: chamber 82 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 is the same as the pressure in manifold I0 and it'acts upon the larger upper surface ofdiaphragm 58 and maintains the valve member 56 seated upon its seat 50 in opposition to the gas pressure in the inlet chamber 52 acting on the smaller surface on the under side of diaphragm 58. However, the outlet chamber 54 of automatic valve mechanism 34 is substantially at atmospheric pressure while the pressure in conduit 33 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 is at a pressure substantially equal to that in the gas manifold I0 and consequently the valve member 12' is'unseated and gas will flow -from'.conduit33into the chamber 66, and thence through conduit 62 to the oven burner pilot burner 66. Since intermediate pilot burner I8 is connected to' the conduit 62 by means of conduit I3, gas will also flow from chamber 66 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 to said intermediate pilot burner;

Gasissuing from the pilot burner 11 for the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 and gas issuing from the oven burner' pilot burner 60 and intermediate pilot burner 18 flows upwardly through the flash tube mechanism 80 to the constantly burning pilot burner I4, and is there ignited and flashes back, thereby lighting the intermediate pilot burner I8, oven burner pilot burner 60 and pilot burner 11 for the heat responsive valve mechanism 96. As soon as pilot burner 11 is lit' it begins to heat the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 which is a Curie point valve which functions like the valve mechanism 96 of Figures 1 through 5. Consequently, when the pre-determined temperature for the valve mechanism 96 has been exceeded the valve opens and permits gas under pressure to flow from the gas manifold I0 through conduits and 92 through the valve mechanism 96' and conduit I68 to the secondary pilot burner III! for the oven burner 40 and the gas issuing thereor closed, position by the handle 24.

13 from is ignited by ovenburner pilot burner 60. When the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 opens, the pressure in chamber 82 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 is relieved since said chamber is connected in parallel, by its conduit 86, with the gas manifold and the conduit leading to the secondary pilot burner I Hi. When the pressure is thus relieved, the greater gas pressure in the inlet chamber 52 acts to raise diaphragm 58 and the valve member 56 which it carries, and thereby opens said valve and permits the passage of gas from the inlet chamber 52 through the passageway 48 to the outlet chamber 54 of the automatic valve mechanism 34. From chamber 54 the gas flows through the conduit 36 to the oven burner 40 and the gas issuing therefrom is ignited by the secondary oven burner pilot burner H0. When the gas under pressure flows into the outlet chamber 54 of the automatic valve mechanism 34, following the opening of valve 56, gas under pressure is then being supplied from the gas manifold H] in parallel to opposite sides of the diaphragm H! which carries the valve member 12. Since the gas pressure is substantially the same and operates on equivalent areas of the diaphragm 10, the weight of the diaphragm and valve member 12 causes valve member 12 to drop and seat upon the valve seat 14 thereby shutting off the flow of gas through conduit 33 in casing 44 to the chamber 66 and thence to the intermediate pilot burner 18 and oven burner pilot 60. Said latter two pilot burners therefore become extinguished, but the secondary oven burner pilot burner I [9 continues to burn since gas flows from the gas manifold l9 through the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 which continues to be heated by its pilot burner I! which is connected directly to the gas manifold I0 through the manually controlled valve mechanism l8. It will be seen therefore that with the lighting of the oven burner 49 the intermediate pilot burner 16 and oven burner pilot burner 60 are extinguished and no gas is wasted by their continued burning.

When the operator desires to shut off the oven burner 40, it is only necessary to turn the manually controlled valve mechanism It to its off, When the valve mechanism 13 is closed gas ceases to flow to the pilot burner 11 for the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 and to the oven burner 46, and consequently the burner and pilot burner are extinguished immediately. At this time the secondary oven burner pilot burner H0 continues to burn until the heat responsive valv'e mechanism 96 cools below its predetermined temperature. When it has cooled below that temperature, the secondary oven burner pilot burner H9 is also extinguished, and the gas burning system is once again in the condition in which it existed before the operator attempted to light the oven burner 40. Since the secondary pilot burner H0 continues to burn for a time after the oven burner has been extinguished, it is impossible to flood the oven chamber with raw gas by turning the manually controlled valve to on position immediately after it has been moved to off position, because any gas which flows to the oven burner is ignited by the secondary oven burner pilot burner. When the secondary oven burner pilot H0 is extinguished by closing of the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 pressure once more builds up in chamber 32 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 and maintains the valve member 56 tight upon its seat 50 so that opening of the manually controlled valve mechanism 18 at that time will not cause a flow of gas to the gas burner 40. To light the oven at this time it is then necessary to proceed in the manner first outlined above with respect to the system of Figure 7.

In Figure 8 there is shown a modified form of gas burning system and controls therefor in which there is a constantly burning pilot burner in the oven chamber for the oven burner. That part of the system which is substantially identical with the system illustrated in Figures 1 through 5 carries the same set of reference numerals, and itwill be apparent therefrom as to the manner in which certain parts of the mechanism work. I shall therefore describe only the differences in structure and diiferences in operation. Referring first to the automatic valve mechanism 34, it will be seen that there is but a single outlet in the form of conduit 62 from the chamber 66, since no auxiliary pilot or flash tube mechanism is necessary in this form of gas burning system, The valve member 72 carried by the diaphragm l9 therefore controls the flow of gas from chamber 66 to conduit 62 which leads to the constantly burning pilot burner for the oven burner which is designated by the reference numeral Gas is supplied to chamber 66 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 from the gas manifold H) through the manually controlled valve mechanism 18, conduit 36 and passageway 68 within the valve mechanism 34, which passageway interconnects the inlet chamber 52 with said chamber 66.

Referring next to the heat responsive valve mechanism 96, it will be seen that the conduit I08 leading from said valve mechanism, does not discharge to atmosphere directly, as in Figures 1 to 5, in order to form a secondary oven burner pilot, but instead also connects with the constantly burning pilot 60' for the oven burner 4|]. It will be understood, however, that the conduit H18 could also discharge separately adjacent pilot 60 and Curie point element I96. Gas is supplied to the inlet side of the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 through the conduits 92 and 99, and throttling valve 94 from the gas manifold l0. Heat responsive valve mechanism 96 is constructed in the same fashion as the valve 66 of Figures 1 to 5, andhas its Curie point element I66, or a heat conductor connected therewith, positioned so as to be subject to heat from the constantly burning oven pilot burner 66'.

In a gas "burning system, such as that illustrated in Figure 8, it is of course necessary, after the initial installation, to light the constantly burning pilot for the oven burner, and that. is accomplished in the following fashion: The operator turns the control handle 24 of the manually controlled valve mechanism 58 to on, or open, position, so that gas may flow from the manifold l6 through conduit l6, valve mechanism l8, and conduit 3|], to the inlet chamber 52 of the automatic valve mechanism 34. This results in gas under pressure being applied to the under side of the diaphragm 5B which carries th valve member 56. However, gas under the same pressure exists in chamber 82 at the upper side of diaphragm 58 by reason of the connection of chamber 82 with the gas manifold through the conduit 9!] and throttling valve 94. Since the pressure in chamber 82 acts upon a larger area of the diaphragm 58 than does the gas under pressure in the inlet chamber 52, the valve member 56 remains seated upon the valve seat 56 at this time. However, gas

flows from the inletichamber 52 through the passageway 68 to chamber 66, and pressure builds up in said-chamber and acts against the under side of diaphragm I which carries the valve member I2. The outlet chamber 54' on the other side of diaphragm contains air or gas at atmospheric pressure and, consequently, the difference in pressures on the opposite sides of diaphragm I0 causes the diaphragm to be raised and to lift the valve member I2- from its seat I4. When that happens, gas flows from-chamber 65 through the conduit 62 to the constantly burning pilot burner 50 at which the operator holds a lighted match or similar device to get the constantly burning pilot burner for the oven burner ignited. The manually controlled valve mechanism I8 is then left in-its. on position until the flame at the constantly burning pilot burner 60 has heated the Curie point element I06 of the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 above its Curie point whereupon the magnet I00 carrying the valve member I02 drops away from the valve seat I04 and permits gas to fiow directly from the manifold I0 through the throttling valve 94, conduit 90, and conduit 92 to the conduit I08 on the outlet side of the valve 95. From there the gas joins that flowing through conduit 82 and goes to the constantly burning pilot burner 60'. At that time, the manually controlled valve mechanism I8 may be moved to its off, or closed, position until such time as the operator desires to' use the oven burner. The constantly burning pilot burner 60 will notbe extinguished by movement of the manually controlled valve mechanism I8 to closed position, since gas continues to be supplied to the constantly burning pilot burner 60' through the conduit 90, 92, valve 90 and conduit I08. When the manually controlled valve mechanism has been moved to its off, or closed, position the pressure in chamber 66 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 will be substantially the same as thatin the outlet chamber 54 of said valve mechanism 34 and consequently the diaphragm I0 and valve member I2 will be moved downwardly by the force of gravity to seat the valve member 12 upon its seat I4.

At such time as the operator desires to light the oven burner, it is only necessary to turn the manually controlled valve mechanism I8, by means of handle 24, to the on, or open, position whereupon gas under pressure flows from the manifold I0, through the conduit I6, valve I8, and conduit to the inlet chamber 52 of the automatic valve mechanism 34. Since the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 is open, and gas is-being supplied to conduits 90, 92, valve 96 and conduit I08 to the constantly burning pilot burner 60' for the oven burner 40, the pressure in chamber 82. of the automatic valve mechanism 34 will be less than that in the inlet chamber 52 of said automatic valve mechanism. As a result diaphragm 58 will be moved upwardly and will thereby unseat the valve member 56 from its seat 50 and permit the flow of gas through passageway 48-to the outlet chamber 54 and thence directly to the oven burner 40, where the gas will be lit from the constantly burning pilot burner 60.

When the operator desires to turn oil the oven burner, it is only necessary to turn handle 24 of the manually controlled valve mechanism? to off, or closed, position whereupon the gas pressure in inlet chamber 52 of the automatic valve mechanism 34 will become substantially atmospheric pressure and will be no greater than, and probably slightly less than that existing in chamher 82,- so that the force of gravity. will cause the diaphragm 58 and valve member 56 carried thereby to be moved downwardly by the force of gravity to seat the valve member 56 upon'its valve seat 50.

If, at any time when the oven burner is shut off, the constantly burning pilot burner 60' is extinguished in any manner, the Curie point element I05 of the heat responsive valve 96', will cool below its predetermined temperature and cause the valve mechanism 96. to close. This will cause pressure to. build up in conduits 92. and and in the chamber 82- of automatic valve mechanism 34 so as to cause the diaphragm 58 carrying the valve member 56 to be tightly pressed upon the valve seat 50. Then if the operator turns the manually controlled valve mechanism I8 to its on, or open, position, gas flowing to the. inlet chamber 52 of automatic valve mechanism34 will be unable to raise the diaphragm 58' and unseat the valve member 56 because the pressure acting on the upper surface of the diaphragm 58 will be over a larger area than that operating on the under surface of said diaphragm. In addition, the force of gravity acts to seat the valve 56 upon its seat 50. If, on the other hand, the constantly burning pilot burner 60 is extinguished for any reason while the oven burner is lit, the same action will take place, that is, the heat responsive valve mechanism 96 will close and cause pressure to build up in chamber 82 of the automatic valve mechanism 34, with the result that the valve member 56 will be seated on valve seat 5i! and shut off the oven burner. It will then be necessary to relight the constantly burning pilot burner 90' in the manner described above before the oven burner may again be used.

It will be apparent that the description of the gas burning system of my invention in a domestic gas range is merely by way of example, and that the same system and controlstherefor may find a variety of other applications. For example, it will be obvious that the so-called manually controlled shut-off valve mechanism may be operated other than directly by a persons hand. It is essentially a shut-off valve employed in the control system for the gas burner and could be actuated indirectly by a persons hand or by mechanisms responsive to conditions preselected by the user.

Although I have illustrated preferred embodimentsof my invention, I do not intend to be limited thereto, since my disclosure will suggest various modifications and changes which come within the scope and intent of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. For use in a gas burning system having means for supplying gas under pressure, gas ignition means, a gas burner remote from the'gas ignition means, and gas conduit means between the gas supply means and the gas burner, the combination comprising shut-01f valve means and automatic valve means adapted to be disposed in series in the gas conduit means between the gas supply means and the gas burner with said automatic valve means being positioned between the shut-01f valve means and the gas burner; a pilot burner for the gas burner; gas conduit means adapted to interconnect said pilot burner with the shut-01f valve means; means for lighting said pilot burner from the gas ignition means when gas is supplied to said pilot burner; said automatic valve means comprising a movable valve member adapted'to be seated uponits valve seat inresponse to gas pressure from the gas supply means acting on one side of said valve member; means, including gas conduit means and heat responsive valve means in the-latter gas conduit means, for controlling the release of gas pressure from said one side of said valve member to permit opening of said automatic valve means, the opening and closing of said heat responsive valve means being controlled by heat from said pilot burner, said pilot burner being adapted to receive gas and then be lit and heat the heat responsive valve means when the shut-01f valve means is opened, and said automatic valve means being adapted to open to supply gas to the gas burner when the heat responsive valve means is heated above a predetermined temperature to cause it to open.

2. For use in a gas burning system having means for supplying gas under pressure, a con stantly burning pilot burner, a gas burner remote from the constantly burning pilot burner, and conduit means between the gas supply means and the gas burner, the combination comprising shut off valve means and automatic valve means adapted to be .connected in series in said conduit means with the shut-01f valve means being nearer to the gas supply means; a pilot burner for the gas burner, gas conduit means adapted to connect said pilot burner for the gas burner with said shut-ofi valve means; means for lighting said pilot burner from the constantly burning pilot burner when said pilot burner for the gas burner is supplied with gas; a secondary pilot burner for the gas burner positioned adjacent the gas burner and adjacent said pilot burner for the gas burner; gas conduit means adapted to connect said secondary pilot burner with the gas supply means; heat responsive valve means adapted to be disposed in'the latter gas conduit means; heat responsive control means for the heat responsive valve means adapted to be heated by said pilot burner for the gas burner; said heat responsive valve means being adapted to open when the heat responsive control means is heated above a predetermined temperature and said automatic valve means opening only when the heat responsive valve means is open; said pilot burner for the gas burner, secondary pilot burner for the gas burner and gas burner becoming lit after the shut-off valve means is moved to open position; and said gas burner and pilot burner for the gas burner being im- .mediately shut off by moving the shut-ofi valve means to closed position; said secondary pilot burner for the gas burner at that time continuing to burn until the heat responsive valve means cools below said predetermined temperature and closes the heat responsive valve means.

3. The combination ofclaim 2 wherein the gas burner, the pilot burner for the gas burnerand the secondary pilot burner for the gas burner are so positioned relative to each other that a flame from any one of them will ignite gas issuing from the other two.

4. For use in a gas burning system having gas supply means, a gas burner, a conduit between the gas supply means and said burner, and a constantly burning pilot burner remote from said gas burner, the combination comprising shutoff valve means and automatic valve means adapted to be disposed in said conduit between the gas supply means and the gas burner with said automatic valve means being positioned between the shut-off valve means and the gas :burner; heat responsivecontrol means; a pilot 18 burner for heating the heat responsive control means and a pilot burner for the gas burner; gas conduit means adapted to connect said pilot burners with said shut-oil valve means; a secondary pilot burner in position for being lit from said pilot burner for the gas burner and for lighting the gas burner; gas conduit means adapted to connect said secondary pilot burner with the gas supply means; valve means in the latter gas conduit means, and means for lighting said pilot burner 'for the gas burner from said constantly burning pilot burner when the shut-on means is in open position; the opening and closing of said valve means and of .said automatic valve means being responsive to the temperature of said heat responsive control means; said 'gas'burner being lit by first opening the shut-on valve means whereby gas is supplied to said pilot burner for the gas burner and to said pilot burner for the heat responsive control means, then'igniting said latter two pilot burners from saidconstantly burning pilot burner by said lighting means and heating the heat responsive control means by its pilot burner to a temperature at which said valve means and said automatic valve means will open whereby gas flows to the secondary pilot burner and to the gas burner, the gas issuing therefrom being lit from said pilot burner for the gas burner; and the gas burner andsaid pilot burner for the gas burner and heat responsive control means being adapted to be shut off when the shut-off valve means is moved to shut-off position whereupon the heat responsive control means is no longer heated'by its pilot burner, said secondary pilot burner continuing to be lit until the temperature of .said

heat responsive control means is reduced to .a point where said valve means closes to block the flow of gas therethrough, said automatic .valve means then also closing to block the flow of gas through itself.

gas supply means and the gas burner with said automatic valve means being positioned between the shut-cit valve means and the gas burner, a pilot burner for the gas burner, parallel gas conduit means adapted to connect said pilot burner for the gas burner with the gas supply means, the shut-off valve means being in one of said two parallel gas conduit means and a heat responsive valve means being in the other of said two parallel gas conduit means, said eat responsive valve means being adapted to open in response to heat above a predetermined temperature supplied from the pilot burner for the gas burner, and said automatic valve means being operable to closed position in response to cessation of gas flow through the parallel gas conduit means which contains the heat responsive valve means.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the automatic valve means includes a pair of diaphragm valves; one diaphragm valve being in series between the shut-01f valve means and the gas burner, and the other diaphragm valve .being in series between the shut-off valve means and the pilot burner; said one diaphragm valve on its one surface being subjected to gas under .pressure supplied from'the gas supply means to the 19 heat responsive valve means and said one diaphragm valve on its other surface, except for the area encompassed by the valve seat, being subjected to gas under pressure supplied through the shut-oii valve means from the gas supply means; said other diaphragm valve being subjected on its one surface, except for the area encompassed by its valve seat, to gas under pressure supplied through the shut-off valve means from the gas supply means, and on its other side being subjected to gas under pressure supplied through said one diaphragm valve to the gas burner when said one diaphragm valve is unseated.

7. 'For use in a gas burning system having means for supplying gas under pressure, a constantly burning pilot burner, a gas burner remote from the constantly burning pilot burner, and gas conduit means between the gas supply means and the gas burner, the combination comprising shut-off valve means in said gas conduit means; a two-way valve mechanism adapted to communicate with said shut-off valve means, one valve of said two-way valve mechanism being disposed between said shut-off valve means and saidgas burner for controlling the flow of gas to the gas burner and the other valve controlling the flow of gas to an intermediate pilot burner; a pilot burner for the gas burner, gas conduit means adapted to connect said pilot burner for the gas burner with the shut-off valve means; gas flashing means including the intermediate pilot burner for lighting the pilot burner for the gas burner from the constantly burning pilot burner when gas is supplied to the pilot burner for the gas burner; a secondary pilot burner for the gas burner, gas conduit means adapted to connect said secondary pilot burner with the gas supply means through heat responsive valve means, said secondary pilot burner being adapted to be lit from the pilot burner for the gas burner; said heat responsive valve means controlling the opening and closing of said one valve of the twoway valve mechanism and being adapted to open when it is heated above a predetermined temperature by the pilot burner for the gas burner; said one valve of the two-way valve mechanism being adapted to open to supply gas to the gas burner only when said heat responsive valve means is open; and said other valve of the twoway valve mechanism being adapted to open when said one valve of the two-way valve mechanism is closed and the shut-off valve means is moved to open position, and being adapted to close after said one valve of the two-way valve mechanism opens.

8. For use in a gas burning system having means for supplying gas under pressure, a constantly burning pilot burner, a gas burner remote from the constantly burning pilot burner, and gas conduit means between the gas supply means and the gas burner, the combination comprising a pilot burner for the gas burner; gas conduit means adapted to connect said pilot burner for the gas burner with the gas supply means; a flash tube mechanism and an intermediate pilot burner; ga conduit means adapted to connect said intermediate pilot burner with said gas supply means, said intermediate pilot burner and flash tube mechanism being adapted to light the pilot burner for the gas burner from the constantly burning pilot burner when gas is supplied to the pilot burner for the gas burner and to the intermediate pilot burner from the gas supply means; a secondary pilot burner for the gas burner; gas conduit means adapted to connect said secondary pilot burner with said gas supply means; heat responsive valve means between the gas supply means and the secondary pilot burner of the gas burner; a pilot burner for the heat responsive valve means, gas conduit means adapted to connect said latter pilot burner with the gas supply means, said heat responsive valve means being adapted to open above a predetermined temperature from the heat supplied by its pilot burner; shut-ofi valve means in series between the gas supply means and the gas burner, the pilot burner for the gas burner, the pilot burner for the heat responsive valve means and the intermediate pilot burner; a first diaphragm valve in series between the shut-off valve means and the gas burner; a second diaphragm valve in series between the shut-off valve means and the intermediate pilot burner and the pilot burner for the gas burner; gas conduit means branching from the gas supply means to the upper side of the first diaphragm valve and to said heat responsive valve means to supply gas under pressure; gas under pressure being adapted to be supplied to the under side of the first and second diaphragm valves when the shut-01f valve means is moved to open position; said first diaphragm valve being adapted to be opened only when gas under pressure acting on its upper side is relieved by opening of the heat responsive valve means; and said second diaphragm valve being adapted to open when the shut-off valve means is moved to open position and said first diaphragm valve is closed, and being adapted to be seated when the first diaphragm valve opens and the shut-01f valve means is open.

9. For use in a gas burning system having gas supply means, a gas burner, a conduit between the gas supply means and said burner with shutoff valve means in said conduit, and gas ignition means remote from said gas burner, the combination comprising automatic valve means adapted to be disposed in said conduit in series between said shut-off valve means and said gas burner, heat responsive control means, a pilot burner for heating the heat responsive control means, gas conduit means adapted to connect said pilot burner with said shut-off valve means, a secondary pilot burner in position for being lit from said pilot burner and for lighting the gas burner, gas conduit means adapted to connect said secondary pilot burner with said gas supply means, valve means in the latter gas conduit means, and means for igniting said pilot burner for the heat responsive control means from said gas ignition means when gas i supplied to said pilot burner, the opening and closing of said lastmentioned valve means and of said automatic valve means being responsive to the temperature of said heat responsive control means.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the secondary pilot burner i so positioned that gas escaping from it may be lit from said pilot burner for the heat responsive control means, and from the gas ignition means by said lighting means.

11. For use in a gas burning system having gas supply means, a gas burner, a conduit between the gas supply means and said burner with shutoff valve means in said conduit, and a constantly burning pilot burner remote from said gas burner, the combination comprising automatic valve means adapted to be disposed in said conduit in series between said shut-off and said gas burner, heat responsive control means, a pilot burner for heating the heat responsive control meansxgas "conduit meansr adapted-*to -connectm said'pilotburner with said shut-doll valve means;

a secondary pilot burner in position for being litv from said pilot burner and for lighting 'thergasizt burner, gasconduit means adapted to connect said; secondary pilot burnerv with thegas supply means, valve means in thevlatter gasziconduit means; and means for lighting said pilot burner for the heat responsive control means *fromthe ma conduit means, the last-mentioned valve means allowing the passage of gas to the pilot-burner for theflash tube system when'said automatic valve means is closed.

12. The'combination of claim 11 .whereinsaid; last-mentioned valve means closes after "the law tomatic valve means opens.

13. For use in a gas burning systemhaving means for supplying gas under pressure, a constantly burning pilot burner, a gas burner remote from the constantly burning pilot burner, and gas conduit means between the gas supply means and the gas burner with shut-oil valve means in said gas conduit means, the combination comprising automatic valve means adapted to be connected in said conduit means in series betweensaid shut-off valve means and said gas' burner, a pilot burner for the gas burner, gas conduit means adapted to connect said pilot burner for the gas burner with the shut-off valve means, means for lighting said pilot burner from the constantly burning pilot burner when said pilot burner for the gas burner is supplied with gas, a secondary pilot burner for the gas burner adapted to be positioned adjacent the gas burner in lighting relation thereto, gas conduit means including therein heat responsive valve means adapted to connect the gas supply means with the secondary pilot burner, heat responsive con trol means for the heat responsive valve means adapted to be heated by said pilot burner for the gas burner, said heat responsive valve means and said automatic valve means, when both are closed, being prevented from opening until said heatresponsive control means is heated above a predetermined temperature.

MHThe combination of claim 13 wherein the automatic valve means comprises a movable 1 valve member adapted to be seated uponits valve seat'in response to gas pressure from the gas supply means acting on one side of said valve member and the heat responsive valve means is a main burnerliconnectedto a source of fuel, firsts-pilot iburneri'meansiadjacent said main connected by gas conduit means with said one side of said valve member and is adapted to relieve the gas pressure from said one'sideof' said valve member to permit opening of said automatic valve means when the heat responsive valve means is open.

15. For use in a gas burning system having.

means for supplying gas underpressure, a com: stantly burning pilot burner, a gas burner. remote from the constantly burning pilot burner,

and gas conduit means between the gassupply means and the gas burner with shut-offxvalve I means in said gas conduit means, itheircombina-zl,

tion: comprising automaticp-valve. means adapted :7 to be'disposed in seriesrin saidgas conduit means betweerr the shuteoffrvalvemeans and said gas r burner, a pilot :burner for the :gas burner; gas l, conduit. meanstadapted to connect said pilotbur-ner forl the'zgaszburner with said shutoff valve means, means for lightingrsaidzpilot burner from the:constantlyzburning'pilot burner when gas is supplied to said pilot burner for the gas burner, said ."lighting :means including an intermediate pilot burner, 'gas conduit means adapted to con-'- nect said interm'ediate pilotburner with the :gas .7 supply means throughvalve means, control means responsive. to :heat from'said pilot burner for the gasburner for controlling the opening and clos- 1 ing of said. automatic valve means, said valve. means for: the :intermediate pilot burner being; adapted to open whenxthe shut-ofivvalve means is \movedxto open position and whensaid auto,- r matic valve means is closed, and said interme-x diatelzpilot burner: andilthe pilot burner. for the gasrburnerlthen being adapted to be lit from the V constantly burningipilotvburner, said automatic i valve means athenbeing adapted to open to sup- 'i 1ply-gas,:to the gas burner. when the heat respon-.:

sivecontrolmeanstis heated above a predetermined'temperatureby the-pilot burner from the 1 gas burnenui:

16. Thezcombination of :claim 15 wherein the valve means for theinterm'ediate pilot burner is adapted to closeafterithe automaticvalve means 1 opens; r

17;:Inxa control device of theclass described, inn'combination, a pilotrburner, a valve body shaving a first fuel inlet and a first fuel outlet, :a

first valvei'member I for shutting off communica tionzbetween said inlet and 'saidroutlet, said valve bodyr havingiva first'xchamber and a second chamber'iseparate'diiby :a diaphragm, with said i chambers-- disposed .on: opposite sides of the dia- .phragm,:said valve body having a second'fuel outlet for: supplyingli fuel to said pilot burnena second valve 'memb'enfor controllingisaid secondfuel-outlet:and operable to open position by fluid pressure in saidflrst chamber for supply of fuel to said, secondi fueli' outlet-l when said first valve member is closed, said valve bodyihavingport means forxdelivering' fuel into saidlfirst chamber independently of said" first fuel-'inlet for actuattingxsai'dcdiaphragmin a directionto open said second :valve members said valve body having additionalzeport' means for delivering 'fuel into saidisecond;chamberrfroin said first fuel outlet when said first'valve:member is open to equalize 1 theiiuel pressuret'intthe:chambers on opposite sides-of the diaphragmyandlmeans for actuating saidzdiaphragmfina direction to'close said second valve member upon equalization of pressureupon oppositelsides of the diaphragm;

18.:2 In a lighting 1 system, the l combination of burner; a secondwpilot. burner means adjacent sai-dazburntsrya constantly: burning pilot burner, means for lighting the first pilot burner means from saidtconstantlyilburning pilot burner, a

safety; valve movablebetween an open and a nor-'" mally closed position-"tocontrolthe how of fuel-= to sai'd main lburn'er, -:means for supplying gas undernpressure to onesideiof said safety valve to-maintaini it in :Iitsr-normally closed position, I thermal. responsive means responsive to heat of said 1 ifirst pilotl iburner means operatively asso-- elated-witlr said safety valve' for reducin'g the gaspressnreirontsaid oneside of "said safety valve" =for permitting said safety valve tobe opened when said thermal responsive means is heated to a preselected temperature, and means for maintaining a stand-by flame on said second pilot burner means out of heat transmitting relation with said thermal responsive means and in lighting relation with said main burner until said thermal responsive means cools to effect closing of the safety valve.

19. In a burner lighting system, the combination of a main burner connected to a source of fuel, a constantly burning pilot burner, a safety valve controlling the flow of fuel to said main burner having an open and a closed position, means, including gas under pressure which acts on one side of said safety valve for biasing said valve to said normally closed position, means for relieving the biasing means and for permitting opening of the safety valve, thermal responsive means operatively associated with said last named means for maintaining the safety valve in said open position when the thermal responsive means is heated to a preselected temperature, an ignition pilot burner adjacent said main burner for igniting the same and for heating the thermal responsive means, flash means for lighting the ignition burner from the constantly burning pilot burner, a stand-by pilot burnerin lighting relation to the main burner and out of heat transmitting relation with the thermal responsive means, and means responsive to said thermal responsive means for supplying gas to said stand-by pilot burner until said thermal responsive means cools to effect closing of the safety valve.

20. In a burner control system of the class wherein there is a main burner, pilot burner means for lighting said main burner, said pilot burner means comprising a first pilot burner, a fuel supply line for supplying fuel to said main burner, a fuel supply line for supplying fuel to said first pilot burner, a safety shutoff valve in the fuel supply line for the main burner and operable to closed position to shut off the supply of fuel to said main burner, with said safety shutoff valve having port means through which fuel pressure is delivered, valve means in the fuel supply line for said first pilot burner and operable to closed position when said safety shutoff valve in the fuel supply line for the main burner is open, whereby to shut off the supply of fuel to said first pilot burner, the combina tion with said system of stand-by pilot burner means in juxtaposition to the main burner for relighting said main burner when the safety shutoff valve in the fuel supply line to the main burner is in open position and the valve means in the fuel supply line for said first pilot burner is closed, and means actuated by the fuel pressure delivered through said port means of said safety shutoff valve for actuating the valve means in the fuel supply line for said first pilot.

burner to open position upon closing of the safety shutoff valve in the fuel supply line for the main burner.

21. For use in a gas burning system having means for supplying gas under pressure, a constantly burning pilot burner, a gas burner remote from the constantly burning pilot burner, gas conduit means between the gas supply means and the gas burner, the combination comprising shut-off valve means and automatic valve means adapted to be connected in series in said conduit means with said automatic valve means being positioned between the shut-off valve means and the gas burner, a pilot burner for the gas burner, gas conduit means adapted to connect the pilot burner for the gas burner with the shut-off valve means, means for lighting said pilot burner from the constantly burning pilot burner when said pilot burner for the gas burner is supplied with gas, a secondary pilot burner for the gas burner positioned adjacent the gas burner, gas conduit means including heat responsive valve means therein adapted to connect the gas supply means and the secondary pilot burner, heat responsive control means for the heat responsive valve means adapted to be heated by said pilot burner for the gas burner, said heat responsive valve means and said automatic valve means, when both are closed, being prevented from opening until said heat responsive control means is heated above a predetermined temperature, together with other heat responsive valve means and wherein the pilot burner for the gas burner is adapted to be connected to the gas supply means through said other heat responsive valve means and through the shut-off valve means in series, said other heat responsive valve means remaining open so long as it is heated by the constantly burning pilot.

22. For use in a gas burning system having means for supplying gas under pressure, a constantly burning pilot burner, a gas burner remote from the constantly burning pilot burner, gas conduit means between the gas supply means and the gas burner, the combination comprising shut-off valve means and automatic valve means adapted to be connected in series in said conduit means with said automatic valve means being positioned between the shut-off valve means and the gas burner, a pilot burner for the gas burner, gas conduit means adapted to connect the pilot burner for the gas burner with the shut-off valve means, means for lighting said pilot burner from the constantly burning pilot burner when said pilot burner for the gas burner is supplied with gas, a secondary pilot burner for the gas burner positioned adjacent the gas burner, gas conduit means including heat responsive valve means therein adapted to connect the gas supply means and the secondary pilot burner, heat responsive control means for the heat responsive valve means adapted to be heated by said pilot burner for the gas burner, said heat responsive valve means and said automatic valve means, when both are closed, being prevented from opening until said heat responsive control means is heated above a predetermined temperature, together with a timing device, the pilot burner for the gas burner being adapted to be connected to the shut-off valve means through other valve means, the opening and closing of said other valve means being controlled by said timing device.

23. For use in a gas burning system having means for supplying gas under pressure, a constantly burning pilot burner, a gas burner remote from the constantly burning pilot burner, gas conduit means between the gas supply means and the gas burner, the combination comprising shut-off valve means and automatic valve means adapted to be connected in series in said conduit means with said automatic valve means being positioned between the shut-off valve means and the gas burner, a pilot burner for the gas burner, gas conduit means adapted to connect the pilot burner for the gas burner with the shut-off valve means, means for lighting said pilot burner from the constantly burning pilot burner when said pilot burner for the gas burner is supplied with 25 gas, a secondary pilot burner for the gas burner positioned adjacent the gas burner, gas conduit means including heat responsive valve means therein adapted to connect the gas supply means and the secondary pilot burner, heat responsive control means for the heat responsive valve means adapted to be heated by said pilot burner for the gas burner, -said heat responsive valve means and said automatic valve means, when both are closed, being prevented from opening until said heat responsive control means is heated above a predetermined temperature, the heat responsive control means for the heat responsive valve means has a control member composed of Curie point metal and said heat responsive valve means has a movable valve member connected to a magnet, said movable valve member ceasing to be attracted to its valve seat by the heat responsive control means when said control means is heated above a predetermined temperature by the pilot burner for the gas burner.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Date Name Bogle Apr. 12, 1932 Magner Sept. 6, 1932 Stockmeyer Apr. 30, 1935 East et a1 Dec. 8, 1936 Geurink et a1 Feb. 23, 1937 Wittmann Mar. 4, 1941 Ray Sept. 1, 1942 English Dec. 15, 1942 Boyer Dec. 18, 1945 Stevens Aug. 19, 1947 Caparone June 22, 1948 Gauger Aug. 9, 1949 Gauger Sept. 27, 1949 Carver Dec. 6, 1949 W'itzel May 2, 1950 Strobel June 6, 1950 

